Google TV has failed to take off as expected when it launched in 2010. Issues such as poor customization options, laggy apps and disappointed customers have led Google to discontinue the product. It’s developer tools and libraries will also no longer be supported and unavailable.

Google TV had been successful to an extent in gaining developer support. It incorporated Chrome and Android features in a 10-foot interface and a QWERTY remote which allowed users to use games, apps and play online video content.

“While the Google TV libraries will no longer be available, we’ve made it really easy to transition apps to Android TV using familiar Android development tools, as well as our new Leanback support libraries,” said Google and Android TV teams.

Android TV was announced only last year, showcased on the Nexus Player set-top box by Google. This week at CES 2015, Sony announced that all of its Bravia TVs will be featuring Android TV. More companies will be partnering with Google to bring Android TV devices. Google has already identified Sony, Sharp and Philips among them.

“We expect to see an exciting lineup of Android TV devices in the coming year, including TVs from Sony, Sharp, and Philips, as well as other set-top and over-the-top boxes,” added the teams.

Favourable reports have been coming in from CES 2015 in Las Vegas that the Android TV hardware has been featured on several TV manufacturers. Sony, Sharp and TP Vision have expressed support for Android TV. Support for the platform has also been confirmed by chip makers including Qualcomm, Nvidia, MediaTek, Intel, Broadcom and ARM.

Bugs may still appear sporadically on the Android TV, but there is little doubt that it is still far superior to the discontinued Google TV. It’s better hardware features make that possible alongside its simplicity and newer software to make Internet TV streaming advance even further.

Other manufacturers like Huawei and Razer have also expressed willingness to support the product.

The world loves a trier, and Google are certainly that when it comes to connected TV operating systems. From one end of the scale is the flop that was Google TV, and then the blockbustingly successful Chromecast dongle. And now just to confirm things come in three’s, Google have launched the Android TV OS which will combine streaming, games, music and catch-up services.

The software announced at Google’s annual I/O developer conference will run on a number of devices including Smart TVs, set-top boxes, and game consoles, with synchronization and control features available from phones, tablets and smartwatches.

Android TV is basically a reworking of the Google TV OS with the familiar Android front end specially adapted for TV watching. The software overlays icons and apps over whatever is being watched either live, streamed or on-demand. The sophisticated search engine can recognize voice commands. and will pick up shows from a number of sources both from streaming services and broadcast TV.

By talking into a phone or tablet, Android TV will provide content sources, recommendations for films, shows and apps. So if for example a user searches for Sons of Anarchy, they will get streaming options from Netflix, and Google Play while also offering cast details and clips. Clicking on a cast member will give a list of films and movies they have starred in.

Playing games will also be a big feature of Android TV, with interaction between the big screen and different controllers including tablets and smartphones.

Android TV devices will also be compatible with the Chromecast stick, offering inbuilt casting features that will mirror what is running on a phone, Chrome OS, or tablet to the Android TV device. Google also confirmed they have sold millions of Chromecasts.

Android TV enabled devices from partners including Sony, Sharp & TP Vision are expected to start hitting the stores by late 2014, and dedicated apps will arrive in the fall to coincide with the new Android OS

After the debacle that was Google TV, the company stepped back and revised the idea. The new service will be called Android TV, and it seems Google is readying the service to be launched in a new set-top box.

Image source The Verge

Reports suggest that Google is having another attempt at bringing the smart internet TV service to consumers, as they bid to keep up with established rivals Apple TV, Roku, as well as the new entry from Amazon – the Amazon Fire.

The Google TV interface was used as an operating system that powered TV sets, and Blu-ray players from big names such as Sony and Logitech, before being mercilessly killed off.

The new Android TV software would be less complicated according to the report, saying it would be, “an entertainment interface, not a computing platform… It’s all about finding and enjoying content with the least amount of friction.”

The report published by the Verge says that the new slick interface would comprise of scrolling screens that bring the user access to movies, TV shows, apps, and games. Google are said to be in discussions with app developers to create apps, services and games that have consistent interfaces.

Google would launch more simple apps for the streaming media device to appease the average couch potato, and the device would also feature a simple remote just like those found on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire, making a four way battle for under the TV dominance.

Although Google have already launched the wildly successful Chromecast HDMI stick into the market, this would be a different device that operates as a stand alone internet TV, app and game player which delivers services such as Netflix and Hulu.

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The Chinese company Hisense have revealed what they hope will be a fresh challenger in the smart TV industry and stem the tide of ‘dongles’, with their Hisense H6 Smart TV.

Noted as being a Smart TV operating Google Services, the company are said to not be limiting themselves to a single new option, with the proposed release of a set-top box (codenamed ‘Pulse Pro’) carrying similar features to their more complete companion.

The H6 is naturally likely to be the more headline-worthy of the pair, and will be a TV that runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), whilst carrying features including 8GB ‘onboard storage’, a 120Hz panel, and 1GB RAM, powered by a ‘Marvell Armada 1500 Plus HD Media Processor’.

Size-wise, the product is expected to feature a number of sizes from ’40 to 55 inches’, whilst all models will be controllable through either a 30-key remote (complete with ‘air mouse’ and voice search capabilities).

The Pulse Pro, meanwhile, is described as a set-top box containing popular pre-loaded apps such as Amazon Instant Movies, Netflix, Vudu, Youtube, and the Google Play Store., carrying similar features with the exception of a 4GB storage offering and ‘Marvell BG2-CT Board’ power, amongst other alterations.

While there will be plenty of alternatives in the market, could the Hisense duo of smart TV products make their mark once released?

The release could also build on the success of Google’s Chromecast stick that has been selling like hot cakes, and due an international launch soon. A TV with Chromecast abilities built in could prove a huge success, and the ability to download apps that work on a TV could also prove a big hit.

Google have not revealed a release date for Android 4.4, but it’s expected soon.

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Are Google ready to mercilessly kill off the Google TV brand in a bid to find success in the smart TV market? You better believe it!

The experiment that was Google TV, is set to get a re-brand in the hope of achieving success second time around. As the Google TV brand has failed to connect with consumers it’s reported they will let it die-off.

Will Google TV soon be just a bad memory?

A report by GigaOm quoting an ‘unnamed executive’ confirms that the Google TV brand will be dropped while the Android TV platform will take it’s place.

Google are still interested in dominating television sets worldwide of course, but where products running on Google TV have failed to establish themselves in 3 years, the Chromecast streaming stick has taken off in 3 months.

So eager are Google to move on that they are already using the term Android TV while talking to electronics manufacturers about TV products.

The Google android software forms the backbone of both the Chromecast and Sony’s Smart TV dongle that plug into any TV and makes it much smarter.

The move makes perfect sense as the Android name gets more and more popular. When Google TV originally launched, it was much less well known than the Google brand.

Google TV still runs on the older OS at a time that Google are preparing the launch of the latest Android 4.4 KitKat OS. The report says that Google are keen to always have the latest OS running on TV products.

And factor in the massive success of the ‘cheap as chips’, Chromecast stick in America, which is still selling really well, and the android TV brand makes perfect commercial sense.

So the question is, how long before we see the launch of a Android TV set?